Sundar C. | |
---|---|
Born | Vinayagar Sundar Vel 21 January 1968 (age 56)
Erode, Madras State, India |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Kalaimamani |
Vinayagar Sundar Vel (born 21 January 1968), known professionally as Sundar C., is an Indian film director, writer, actor and producer who works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films and received the Kalaimamani award.
His films include Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Unnai Thedi (1999), Anbe Sivam (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Kalakalappu (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Kalakalappu (2012) and Aranmanai Cinematic Universe.
Alongside his wife, he produced the television series Nandini (2017-2018), Maya (2018) and Jothi (2021). His film production credits include Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016), Meesaya Murukku (2017), Natpe Thunai (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Naanga Romba Busy (2020) and Pattampoochi (2022).
Vinayagar Sundar Vel was born on 21 January 1968 in Erode, Madras State. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and Theivanai Ammal. On his father’s recommendation, he adopted the name "Sundar C." to better suit the film industry. [1]
Sundar C. began his career as an assistant director to Manivannan and made his directorial debut with the film Murai Maman in 1995. Initially, he intended to cast a leading action hero Sarathkumar for the lead role, but due to the producer's inability to secure the actor, Jayaram was selected instead, capitalizing on his comedic prowess. The film was a success at the box office. [2] Sundar then continued to focus on comedy films, directing Ullathai Allitha (1996), Mettukudi (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999), all starring Karthik. In 1997, he directed the high-profile Arunachalam, with Rajinikanth. The film won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including Best Film. [3]
Sundar started the new millennium by directing the thriller Unnai Kann Theduthey (2000) and the action film Rishi (2001). In 2003, he directed both Anbe Sivam and Winner. While Winner was commercially successful, Anbe Sivam, despite being critically acclaimed, underperformed at the box office but later became a cult classic. [4] He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006). [5] Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006). [6] [7] He continued to secure lead roles in hits like Veerappu (2007), directed by Badri, and Sandai (2008) by Sakthi Chidambaram. He received the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009. [8] He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010.
In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu, which was a commercial hit. [9] He followed it up with Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016) and Kalakalappu 2 (2018). In 2019, he starred in the well-received horror thriller Iruttu, directed by V. Z. Durai, [10] and also directed Vishal's action film Action. [11] His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3, was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. [12] He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2. [13] In 2024, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4.
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Vaazhkai Chakkaram | constable | Cameo | [14] |
1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | studio assistant | Cameo | [15] |
1995 | Murai Maman | villager | Cameo | [16] |
1997 | Arunachalam | reporter | Cameo | [17] |
2006 | Thalai Nagaram | "Right" Subramaniam | Debut as lead | [18] |
2007 | Veerappu | Pulippandi | [19] | |
2008 | Sandai | "Kaththi" Kathiresan | [20] | |
Aayudham Seivom | Saidai Sathya | [21] | ||
2009 | Perumal | Perumal | [22] | |
Thee | ACP "Samy" Sarathy | [23] | ||
Aiyantham Padai | Prabhakaran | [24] | ||
2010 | Guru Sishyan | Eeti | [25] | |
Vaadaa | Vetrivel | [26] | ||
Nagaram Marupakkam | Selvam | [27] | ||
2012 | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | [28] | |
2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | himself | Cameo | [29] |
Aranmanai | Ravi | [30] | ||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | Ravi | [31] | |
Muthina Kathirikai | Muthupandi | [32] | ||
2019 | Action | passer-by | Cameo | [33] |
Iruttu | Inspector Chezhiyan | [34] | ||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | Ravi | [35] | |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Inspector Kumaran | [36] | |
2023 | Thalainagaram 2 | Right | [37] | |
2024 | Aranmanai 4 | Adv. Saravanan | [38] | |
One 2 One † | TBA | Filming | [39] | |
Vallan † | TBA | Post-production | [40] |
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | ||||
1995 | Murai Maman | [16] | |||
Murai Mappillai | [41] | ||||
1996 | Ullathai Allitha | [42] | |||
Mettukudi | [43] | ||||
1997 | Arunachalam | [44] | |||
Janakiraman | [45] | ||||
1998 | Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar | [46] | |||
1999 | Unnai Thedi | [47] | |||
Suyamvaram | Directed by 14 directors | [48] | |||
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | [49] | ||||
2000 | Azhagarsamy | [50] | |||
Kannan Varuvaan | [51] | ||||
Unnai Kann Theduthey | [52] | ||||
2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | [53] | |||
Rishi | [54] | ||||
Azhagana Naatkal | [55] | ||||
2003 | Anbe Sivam | [56] | |||
Winner | [57] | ||||
2004 | Giri | [58] | |||
2005 | London | [59] | |||
Thaka Thimi Tha | [60] | ||||
Chinna | [61] | ||||
2006 | Rendu | [62] | |||
2010 | Nagaram Marupakkam | [63] | |||
2012 | Kalakalappu | Also narrator | [64] | ||
2013 | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something | [65] | ||
2014 | Aranmanai | [66] | |||
2015 | Aambala | [67] | |||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | [68] | |||
2018 | Kalakalappu 2 | [69] | |||
2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | [70] | |||
Action | [71] | ||||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | [72] | |||
2022 | Coffee with Kadhal | [73] | |||
2024 | Aranmanai 4 | Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak | [74] |
Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Sandai | "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" | Dhina | Debut | [75] |
2010 | Guru Sishyan | "Subaiya Subaiya" | Dhina | Sung with Sathyaraj | [76] |
Year | Title | Cast | Director | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 |
Aranmanai 2 (co-producer) |
Siddharth, Sundar C., Hansika Motwani, Trisha Krishnan, Poonam Bajwa | Sundar C. | [77] |
2016 | Hello Naan Pei Pesuren | Vaibhav Reddy, Aishwarya Rajesh, Oviya, Karunakaran | S. Bhaskar | [78] |
2017 | Meesaya Murukku | Hiphop Tamizha, Aathmika, Vivek, RJ Vigneshkanth | Hiphop Tamizha | [79] |
2019 | Natpe Thunai | Hiphop Tamizha, Anagha, Karu Palaniappan, Harish Uthaman | Desingu Parthiban | [80] |
2020 | Naan Sirithal | Hiphop Tamizha, Iswarya Menon, K. S. Ravikumar, Sha Ra | Raana | [81] |
Naanga Romba Busy | Ashwin Kakumanu, Rittika Sen, Prasanna, Yogi Babu | Badri | [82] | |
2021 |
Aranmanai 3 (co-producer) |
Sundar C., Raashii Khanna, Arya, Andrea Jeremiah, Sakshi Agarwal | Sundar C. | [83] |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Sundar C., Jai, Honey Rose | Badri | [84] |
2024 |
Aranmanai 4 (co-producer) |
Sundar C., Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna | Sundar C. | [85] |
Year | Serial | Credited as | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Producer | Writer | |||
2017–2018 | Nandini | [86] | ||
2018 | Maya | [87] | ||
2018 –2020 | Lakshmi Stores | [88] | ||
2021 | Jothi | [89] |
In 2000, Sundar C. married actress Khushbu. After their marriage, she took his name as her surname and became known as Khushbu Sundar. They have two daughters, Avantika and Anandita, after whom they named their production house, Avni Cinemax. [90] [91]
Sundar C. | |
---|---|
Born | Vinayagar Sundar Vel 21 January 1968 (age 56)
Erode, Madras State, India |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1990–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Awards | Kalaimamani |
Vinayagar Sundar Vel (born 21 January 1968), known professionally as Sundar C., is an Indian film director, writer, actor and producer who works in Tamil cinema. He has directed over 30 films and received the Kalaimamani award.
His films include Ullathai Allitha (1996), Arunachalam (1997), Unnai Thedi (1999), Anbe Sivam (2003), Winner (2003), Giri (2004), Kalakalappu (2012), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Kalakalappu (2012) and Aranmanai Cinematic Universe.
Alongside his wife, he produced the television series Nandini (2017-2018), Maya (2018) and Jothi (2021). His film production credits include Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016), Meesaya Murukku (2017), Natpe Thunai (2019), Naan Sirithal (2020), Naanga Romba Busy (2020) and Pattampoochi (2022).
Vinayagar Sundar Vel was born on 21 January 1968 in Erode, Madras State. His parents are Chidambaram Pillai and Theivanai Ammal. On his father’s recommendation, he adopted the name "Sundar C." to better suit the film industry. [1]
Sundar C. began his career as an assistant director to Manivannan and made his directorial debut with the film Murai Maman in 1995. Initially, he intended to cast a leading action hero Sarathkumar for the lead role, but due to the producer's inability to secure the actor, Jayaram was selected instead, capitalizing on his comedic prowess. The film was a success at the box office. [2] Sundar then continued to focus on comedy films, directing Ullathai Allitha (1996), Mettukudi (1996) and Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga (1999), all starring Karthik. In 1997, he directed the high-profile Arunachalam, with Rajinikanth. The film won three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, including Best Film. [3]
Sundar started the new millennium by directing the thriller Unnai Kann Theduthey (2000) and the action film Rishi (2001). In 2003, he directed both Anbe Sivam and Winner. While Winner was commercially successful, Anbe Sivam, despite being critically acclaimed, underperformed at the box office but later became a cult classic. [4] He continued his directorial ventures with Chinna (2005) and Rendu (2006). [5] Subsequently, Sundar transitioned to acting, making his lead debut in the commercially successful Thalai Nagaram (2006). [6] [7] He continued to secure lead roles in hits like Veerappu (2007), directed by Badri, and Sandai (2008) by Sakthi Chidambaram. He received the Kalaimamani award from the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2009. [8] He then made a directorial comeback with Nagaram Marupakkam in 2010.
In 2012, Sundar directed the comedy film Kalakalappu, which was a commercial hit. [9] He followed it up with Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru (2013), Aranmanai (2014), Aranmanai 2 (2016) and Kalakalappu 2 (2018). In 2019, he starred in the well-received horror thriller Iruttu, directed by V. Z. Durai, [10] and also directed Vishal's action film Action. [11] His subsequent release as a director and actor, Aranmanai 3, was successful at the box office despite being critically panned. [12] He later starred in Thalai Nagaram 2. [13] In 2024, he directed and starred in Aranmanai 4.
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
1990 | Vaazhkai Chakkaram | constable | Cameo | [14] |
1993 | Moondravadhu Kann | studio assistant | Cameo | [15] |
1995 | Murai Maman | villager | Cameo | [16] |
1997 | Arunachalam | reporter | Cameo | [17] |
2006 | Thalai Nagaram | "Right" Subramaniam | Debut as lead | [18] |
2007 | Veerappu | Pulippandi | [19] | |
2008 | Sandai | "Kaththi" Kathiresan | [20] | |
Aayudham Seivom | Saidai Sathya | [21] | ||
2009 | Perumal | Perumal | [22] | |
Thee | ACP "Samy" Sarathy | [23] | ||
Aiyantham Padai | Prabhakaran | [24] | ||
2010 | Guru Sishyan | Eeti | [25] | |
Vaadaa | Vetrivel | [26] | ||
Nagaram Marupakkam | Selvam | [27] | ||
2012 | Murattu Kaalai | Kaalaiyan | [28] | |
2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | himself | Cameo | [29] |
Aranmanai | Ravi | [30] | ||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | Ravi | [31] | |
Muthina Kathirikai | Muthupandi | [32] | ||
2019 | Action | passer-by | Cameo | [33] |
Iruttu | Inspector Chezhiyan | [34] | ||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | Ravi | [35] | |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Inspector Kumaran | [36] | |
2023 | Thalainagaram 2 | Right | [37] | |
2024 | Aranmanai 4 | Adv. Saravanan | [38] | |
One 2 One † | TBA | Filming | [39] | |
Vallan † | TBA | Post-production | [40] |
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Writer | ||||
1995 | Murai Maman | [16] | |||
Murai Mappillai | [41] | ||||
1996 | Ullathai Allitha | [42] | |||
Mettukudi | [43] | ||||
1997 | Arunachalam | [44] | |||
Janakiraman | [45] | ||||
1998 | Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar | [46] | |||
1999 | Unnai Thedi | [47] | |||
Suyamvaram | Directed by 14 directors | [48] | |||
Unakkaga Ellam Unakkaga | [49] | ||||
2000 | Azhagarsamy | [50] | |||
Kannan Varuvaan | [51] | ||||
Unnai Kann Theduthey | [52] | ||||
2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | [53] | |||
Rishi | [54] | ||||
Azhagana Naatkal | [55] | ||||
2003 | Anbe Sivam | [56] | |||
Winner | [57] | ||||
2004 | Giri | [58] | |||
2005 | London | [59] | |||
Thaka Thimi Tha | [60] | ||||
Chinna | [61] | ||||
2006 | Rendu | [62] | |||
2010 | Nagaram Marupakkam | [63] | |||
2012 | Kalakalappu | Also narrator | [64] | ||
2013 | Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru | Partially reshot in Telugu as Something Something | [65] | ||
2014 | Aranmanai | [66] | |||
2015 | Aambala | [67] | |||
2016 | Aranmanai 2 | [68] | |||
2018 | Kalakalappu 2 | [69] | |||
2019 | Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven | [70] | |||
Action | [71] | ||||
2021 | Aranmanai 3 | [72] | |||
2022 | Coffee with Kadhal | [73] | |||
2024 | Aranmanai 4 | Partially reshot in Telugu as Baak | [74] |
Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Sandai | "Vaadee En Kappakezhungu" | Dhina | Debut | [75] |
2010 | Guru Sishyan | "Subaiya Subaiya" | Dhina | Sung with Sathyaraj | [76] |
Year | Title | Cast | Director | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2016 |
Aranmanai 2 (co-producer) |
Siddharth, Sundar C., Hansika Motwani, Trisha Krishnan, Poonam Bajwa | Sundar C. | [77] |
2016 | Hello Naan Pei Pesuren | Vaibhav Reddy, Aishwarya Rajesh, Oviya, Karunakaran | S. Bhaskar | [78] |
2017 | Meesaya Murukku | Hiphop Tamizha, Aathmika, Vivek, RJ Vigneshkanth | Hiphop Tamizha | [79] |
2019 | Natpe Thunai | Hiphop Tamizha, Anagha, Karu Palaniappan, Harish Uthaman | Desingu Parthiban | [80] |
2020 | Naan Sirithal | Hiphop Tamizha, Iswarya Menon, K. S. Ravikumar, Sha Ra | Raana | [81] |
Naanga Romba Busy | Ashwin Kakumanu, Rittika Sen, Prasanna, Yogi Babu | Badri | [82] | |
2021 |
Aranmanai 3 (co-producer) |
Sundar C., Raashii Khanna, Arya, Andrea Jeremiah, Sakshi Agarwal | Sundar C. | [83] |
2022 | Pattampoochi | Sundar C., Jai, Honey Rose | Badri | [84] |
2024 |
Aranmanai 4 (co-producer) |
Sundar C., Tamannaah Bhatia, Raashii Khanna | Sundar C. | [85] |
Year | Serial | Credited as | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Producer | Writer | |||
2017–2018 | Nandini | [86] | ||
2018 | Maya | [87] | ||
2018 –2020 | Lakshmi Stores | [88] | ||
2021 | Jothi | [89] |
In 2000, Sundar C. married actress Khushbu. After their marriage, she took his name as her surname and became known as Khushbu Sundar. They have two daughters, Avantika and Anandita, after whom they named their production house, Avni Cinemax. [90] [91]